Galen
They had barely been in Worthgard for a week before Lord Worth announced they would leave the System for Kingsgard to begin a tour of Highpass.
Galen didn’t want to leave. He still believed he was living a dream. He had spent each day with his father, and that time had warmed him up greatly to his father. Lord Worth was a pleasant and surprisingly happy person, although he learned that his father had a lords face that he put on when conducting the business of the day, which he did each and every day.
Lord Worth spoke often of Galen’s mother, Madlyn Lynch, and he realized that his father had loved her more than Galen had loved anything.
“Why did you send for me?” Galen asked his father. “I just entered by term of service.”
Lord Worth looked at his son, and nodded. “And the Jom is a good place to earn a name,” he said. “But as my only child, and heir, I wished for you to be closer at hand. You will still serve your full term in the Imperial Guard of Highpass, and under Lord General Cinder, I understand you have sworn an oath to her?”
“Yes,” Galen said. “The Lord General has a reputation,” he said firmly.
“Yes she does. She is a fine General. You have to be to make the rank of Lord General,” Lord Worth agreed. “I’d wager against any that she was the finest general in the Imperial Guard of Highpass.”
“But not the greatest in Highpass?” Galen asked.
Lord Worth smiled. “There are many lords, many retired members of the Guard. Highpass is full of warriors. Who could say who is the best. You only known when the battle is done.”
“Some say that is you,” Galen said.
“And others claim my sister as the best, or Adam Hood, or even Erik Sunwind, or a dozen other lords. Battle in the end comes down to luck,” Lord Worth told Galen. “Still, you will learn much under the Lord General, and no person can hope to rule in Highpass without service to the Imperial Guard of Highpass. I just hope your oath was wise, because to break an oath is to bring down the wroth of the ancestors.”
“Are you saying that Lord General Cinder is not worthy of my oath?” Galen asked.
“Not at all,” Lord Worth said. “I am saying that you do not know the woman, and you got lucky that she is an honorable woman. I hope though that swearing oaths to those you do not know is not common,” he said with his cold eyes on him.
“As the right hand to the Lord of Highpass,” Galen said refering to his father, “and the person charged with my protection, it seemed like a smart move.”
Lord Worth offered a small smile before he spoke. “Smart? Perhaps, only time will time, but it is not an oath I would have sworn. I know what it is to swear an oath and to be held hostage by it for life,” he said quickly. He let out a sigh. “You will like Kingsgard,” he said changing the subject.
“Why leave Worthgard?” Galen asked.
“Lord Sargon is an old friend,” Lord Worth said. “And the lords of Highpass need to see their lord, just as the people need to see their lords. It is a hard section of Space, and a lord can become too comfortable in his home, and loses touch with what goes on in his domain.”
Galen nodded. It was common for kings throughout Furse Space to travel from world to world to see their subject, and hear their plight.
“It is also important that the lords of Highpass see you Galen,” Lord Worth continued. “And see that you will one day be a man to follow, hopefully many years from now, but you will be judged. From the lords, the under-lords, politicians, and everyday people.” Lord Worth shrugged. “I hope for your sake, and the sake of our House that you can stand up to that, or another will replace you.”
“And if I don’t want it?” Galen asked.
Lord Worth shrugged again. “Than another will replace you, and they will kill you, because that will be the only way to ensure you or your offspring do not become a threat to them.”
“So that’s my choice? To lead or to die?” Galen asked.
“The same choice I had,” Lord Worth said. “Or you can run and hide, and never be heard from again,” he said. “That was a choice I could not make,” Lord Worth shook his head. “I couldn’t make that choice, no matter how easy my own father made it for me.”
“I guess I have a choice to make then,” Galen told him.
“Yes, I guess you do,” Lord Worth said coldly. “The ‘Long Serpent’ will be leaving orbit in six hours. I hope to see you on board,” the lord said, and turned to leave.
